AIIS expresses its deep gratitude to the Harish and Bina Shah Foundation for making possible the preservation and public dissemination of one of South Asia’s most significant archaeological mapping initiatives. We are equally indebted to Dr. George Michell for entrusting AIIS with the Vijayanagara Archaeological Atlas and supporting its digital transformation for online access. The Foundation’s generous support, together with Dr. Michell’s stewardship and confidence in AIIS, has ensured that this foundational research resource is securely preserved and made widely accessible for present and future generations.

                The Vijayanagara Archaeological Atlas (VAA)

In 1980, Dr George Michell, joined by Dr John M. Fritz in 1981, launched the Vijayanagara Research Project (VRP) to systematically document the urban layout and architectural remains of the imperial capital of Hampi Vijayanagara in central Karnataka. Over more than two decades, during consecutive field seasons, the two scholars co-directed teams of volunteer students of architecture and archaeology from India and abroad. Together, they meticulously mapped and measured cultural features spread across nearly 25 square kilometres, creating an unparalleled record of the site.

The result of this sustained effort is the Vijayanagara Archaeological Atlas (VAA), a monumental achievement comprising 275 maps at a 1:400 scale, each measuring 60 x 45 cm and covering an area of 240 x 180 metres. The maps depict topographic features (heights in blue) and all man-made structures (numbered in red), and are accompanied by a comprehensive FileMaker database cataloguing descriptions of over 36,000 features, cross-referenced with related publications and illustrations.

The VAA represents the first-ever comprehensive surface archaeological survey of an Indian historical site inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Beyond its technical precision, it offers profound insights into the urban organization, settlement patterns, and social fabric of Vijayanagara, the greatest imperial capital of Southern India.

This digital initiative not only preserves the legacy of a landmark research project but also opens new possibilities for scholars, educators, and the general public to explore the magnificent landscape of Vijayanagara, virtually, dynamically, and without boundaries.